Former President John Dramani Mahama has commented on the current economic challenges facing Ghana, asserting that the country’s economic crisis results from mismanagement by the Akufo-Addo-led government.
The former president expressed concern over the state of the economy, laying blame on what he perceives as inadequate fiscal policies and governance decisions.
“I have always said that this crisis is self-inflicted; it is a result of mismanagement, and let nobody tell you otherwise. Our economic managers have landed us in this situation, first because of excessive borrowing.”
Former President Mahama made these remarks when he met with members of the Upper East Regional House of Chiefs as part of a two-day tour to the region.
The flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) highlighted several economic indicators, including inflation rates, currency depreciation, and rising living costs, as evidence of the country’s economic downturn.
“Nobody can come and tell you that your life is better when your life is getting worse. This government took the cedi-to-dollar exchange rate to about 4 cedis to the dollar and said they had arrested the dollar and jailed it. Unfortunately, from what is happening, the dollar has not been jailed; it is still running. As we speak, if you don’t have GH¢12.50, you will not get 1 dollar.”
He argued that these challenges are not solely the result of external factors but are exacerbated by the government’s mismanagement.
The former president pointed to what he considers lapses in fiscal discipline, inadequate revenue mobilization strategies, and what he described as a lack of prudent economic management.
He called for a re-evaluation of economic policies to address the root causes of the crisis and provide relief to citizens.